Dear Parents and Guardians,
I want to welcome you back to school on Monday, August 26.
We hope this letter finds you well. We want to share some exciting news about changes at our school. We're making our school a better place for learning!
Starting next week, we'll have new rules about cellphones during the school day. These rules will help students focus on their classes and friends.
Key points of the updated policy:
1. Students must keep cellphones stored in the school’s computer lockers throughout the school day.
2. Students may only use cellphones, before and after school hours or during lunch while on campus.
3. In case of emergency, parents should contact the school office to reach their child. 509-722-6181.
4. Students who need to make urgent calls may do so in the school office with permission.
5. Violations of this policy will result in confiscation of the device, to be returned only at the end of the day on the first violation, and then on further violations to a parent or guardian.
Other schools have implemented these changes and it has been shown they have:
• Minimized distractions and improved focus during class time
• Reduced cyberbullying and inappropriate phone use on campus
• Encouraged more face-to-face social interaction among students
• Better prepare students for workplaces with cellphone restrictions
We understand this change may pose challenges for some families. If you have concerns about reaching your child during the school day, please contact our office to discuss alternatives. We encourage parents and guardians to have their students not bring their device to school, leave it in their car, or store them in the school’s secure computer cases.
We appreciate your support as we work to create the best possible learning environment for our students. If you have any questions or feedback about this policy, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Principal Dave Sather